Tamper-resistant lock

Abstract

A locking system includes a tamper-resistant lock and key. The tamper-resistant lock includes a cylindrical lock body with external threading on at least a portion thereof and a bore extending into an end of the cylindrical lock body. The bore includes an engagement feature disposed on the wall that defines the bore, and the engagement feature is disposed a particular distance away from the bore opening. The key includes a collar that has a cylindrical key body that fits within the bore of the cylindrical lock body. The cylindrical key body also includes an opening defined by the collar sidewall, a retractable engagement member at least partially disposed within the opening, a spring disposed within the collar, and a plunger disposed within the collar that is operable to engage the spring and has a recess sized and shaped to accommodate the retractable engagement member.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A locking system, comprising:
 an adjustable adaptor configured to be at least partially disposed within an interior portion of a housing, the adjustable adaptor comprising:
 a first end having a channel disposed therein; 
 a lock coupling member sized and shaped to slidably fit within the channel; and 
 a second end disposed opposite the first end and separated therefrom by an elongate member, the second end being adjustable to selectively increase or decrease a distance between the first end and the second end; 
 
 a tamper-resistant lock, comprising:
 a body having a lower end selectively engaged with the lock coupling member; and 
 a bore extending into the body, the bore having an engagement feature disposed on a wall defining the bore; and 
 
 a key, comprising:
 a collar sized and shaped to be at least partially disposed within the bore; 
 an opening defined by a sidewall of the collar; and 
 a retractable engagement member at least partially disposed within the opening, the retractable engagement member being sized and shaped to interact with the engagement feature when the retractable engagement member is in an extended position. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The locking system as in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable adaptor comprises a selectively extendable ram that engages a housing sidewall to secure at least the first end within the interior portion of the housing, the housing sidewall at least partially defining the interior portion of the housing. 
     
     
       3. The locking system as in  claim 2 , wherein the adjustable adaptor comprises a second selectively extendable ram, wherein engagement of the selectively extendable ram and the second selectively extendable ram with the housing sidewall prevents one or more of a rotational, lateral, or vertical movement of the first end relative to the housing. 
     
     
       4. The locking system as in  claim 1 , wherein the lock coupling member comprises a threaded bore having threading on at least a portion of an interior sidewall defining the threaded bore, and wherein the body of the tamper-resistant lock is selectively engaged with the lock coupling member through engagement of the threading on the portion of the interior sidewall defining the threaded bore and external threading on at least a portion of a length of the body of the tamper-resistant lock. 
     
     
       5. The locking system as in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises a threaded rod, wherein the second end is threadedly associated with the threaded rod, and wherein the second end is adjustable by rotating the second end about the threaded rod. 
     
     
       6. The locking system as in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises a threaded rod, and wherein a complementary threaded nut is associated with the threaded rod such that the complementary threaded nut defines the distance between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
       7. A locking system, comprising:
 an adjustable adaptor configured to be at least partially disposed within an interior portion of a housing, the adjustable adaptor comprising:
 a first end having a channel disposed therein; 
 a lock coupling member sized and shaped to slidably fit within the channel; and 
 a second end disposed opposite the first end and separated therefrom by an elongate member, the second end being adjustable along the elongate member to selectively lengthen the first and second ends of the adjustable adaptor such that the adjustable adaptor spans a length or a width of the housing; and 
 a selectively extendable ram that engages the housing sidewall to secure the adjustable adaptor within the housing, 
 wherein the first and second ends each comprise a flange that engages an interior ledge or upper rim of the housing when the adjustable adaptor spans the length or the width of the housing; 
 
 a tamper-resistant lock for securing a lid to the housing, the tamper-resistant lock comprising:
 a cylindrical lock body having external threading on at least a portion of a length of the cylindrical lock body, wherein the portion of the cylindrical lock body passes through the lid and is selectively received within the lock coupling member; and 
 a bore extending into an end of the cylindrical lock body, the bore having an engagement feature disposed on a wall defining the bore, the engagement feature being disposed a particular distance away from an opening of the bore; and 
 
 a key, comprising:
 a collar having a cylindrical key body sized and shaped to be at least partially disposed within the bore; 
 an opening defined by a sidewall of the collar; 
 a retractable engagement member at least partially disposed within the opening; 
 a spring disposed within the collar; and 
 
 
       a plunger disposed within the collar operable to engage the spring, the plunger having a recess that accommodates the retractable engagement member when the spring is compressed.